Carton packing machine



Jan. 19, 1965 w. F. ROTH ETAL 3,165,871

CARTON PACKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12, 1961 a Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. Z

INVENTOR W/LL/AM F. Ear Q 1 /l// //v A. J/v x052 s BY ATTORNEY Jan. 19,1965 w. F. ROTH ETAL 7 3,155,871

CARTON PACKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12. 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet s I f}INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1965 w. F. ROTH ETAL CARTON PACKING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 12, 1961 wmw wo w km Nk N QWN m \mM w? wmw unR Wm W m EM W m NQW H 3 sum MM Z CARTON PACKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12,1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR W/AL/flM ft EQTH v /l/E1///'v 5 JNYDEEATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1965 Filed Jan. 12, 1961 W. F. ROTH ETAL CARTONPACKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Jan. 19, 1965 w. F. ROTH ETALCARTON PACKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed flan. 12, 1961 INVENTORW/LL/AM F. 507w NEW/v f. j/vrpzz ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1965 w. F. ROTH ETAL3,

CARTON PACKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORW/LL/AM E E07 /\/fl///v f J/v/ E ATTORNEY United States Patent OflicePatented Jan. 19, 1965 3,165,871 CAR'EGN PACKENG MAQHZWE Wiliiam F. Rothand Nevin E. Snyder, Hanover, Pa,

assignors to Chisholm-Ryder Company of Pennsylvania, Hanover, Pa, acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 82,322 16Qlairns. (Cl. 53-247) This invention pertains to a carton packingmachine and, more particularly, to a carton packing machine arranged toload a group of containers, while positioned vertically, into an openend of a carton as distinguished from the top of a carton. It has beenfound that by filling cartons made from chipboard, corrugatedpasteboard, or the like, from an end as distinguished from the top, asaving of as much as 15% of the board from which the carton is made canbe effected. Due'to the requirement to load such cartons from the endhowever,

it is preferable that the containers, be they cans, bottles, or othertypes of containers, are handled while standing vertically upon suitableconveyors or other supporting surfaces incident to being assembled intogroups of desired size and then loading a predetermined size group orcharge of the containers into the open end of a carton, preferably so asto fill the carton by a single charge of containers.

Although the filling of containers through an open end thereof isrelatively new, a number of carton packing machines to achieve thisobjective have been developed heretofore. However, these have been quitecomplex and bulky in nature, the power consumption has been verysubstantial, and the floor area occupied by the same is appreciable onboth sides of the machines particularly, whereby the machines can not beutilized close to a wall, for example, extending closely along one sideof the machine. Additionally, such machines as have been developedheretofore have not readily been adaptable to adjustability to handlecontainers of a substantial range of sizes or to accommodate cartons ofa relatively substantial range of shapes and sizes.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a caseloading or packing machine which is relatively straight and narrow, evenat the delivery end of the machine, so that the same consumes a minimumwidth as well as minimum overall length of space in a plant where thesame is utilized, whereby the machine may be mounted relativelycloselyto a wall adjacent the nondelivery side of the machine particularly, andfurther, the machine is readily and quickly adaptable either todelivering from one side or the other of the machine, or deliveringalternatively in sequence from opposite sides, as desired. Under thelatter circumstances, an increase in filling production rate of as muchas 40% is possible, as distinguished from discharging containers intocases from only one side of the machine exclusively.

Another object of the invention is to produce a carton loading machinehaving very substantial adjustability to render the same capable ofhandling, for example, containers such as tin cans from the small frozenfruit juice size up to gallon size cans of paint and the like, theutilization of appropriate sizes or" cartons also being possible withminimum requirements of adjustability in various areas and sections ofthe machine.

A still further object of the machine is to provide relatively simpleoperating mechanism, much of which performs plural functions such asactuating more than one of the units and devices comprising the entiremachine. Ancillary to this object, the operating mechanism primarily ismechanical, as distinguished from utilizing electrical clutches andother forms of complex electrical equipment, notwithstanding the factthat a limited numher of electric solenoids are employed in thepreferred embodiment of the machine. Further, in regard to this sameobjective, a single electric motor of less than one horsepower is allthat is required to operate the entire machine as distinguished fromrequirements of up to three horsepower and several motors which arerequired in certain existing machines presently available.

Still another object of the invention is to provide sup porting meansfor cartons which, sequentially, are movable during the operation of themachine between an elevated loading position and a lowered dischargingposition, the supporting mechanism in its'preferred embodiment beingextensible automatically in regular operation, whereby the removingequipment such as a takeaway conveyor or gravity roller type of conveyorneed not be adjusted in heighth for accommodating packs of difierentlengths handled by the carton packing machine embodying the presentinvention. In addition, the extensibility of the carton supportingmechanism permits the lower end of the same to be disposed betweenspaced rollers of a gravity-type, roller conveyor, for example, wherebythe lower end of a carton, when being delivered to said conveyor, may beplaced quite gently upon the roller conveyor without interferencebetween the conveyor and supporting means for the carton which has justially to adapt the mechanism to operating while handling containers of avariety of sizes but only a single size at any one time. Such stopmechanism is associated with a stationary or so-called dead feed platewhich is positioned so as to be traversed by containers just prior tothe delivery end of the machine being reached by the containers, wherebya single charge of containers of a desired number which have reached theend of their travel in feeding direction and are ready to be dischargedfrom the machine, may be moved transversely by appropriate pushermechanism which moves said charge of containers laterally to one side ofthe machine and into the open end of a carton held in readiness bysupporting mechanism comprising part of the present invention.

Still another object of the invention associated with the stop mechanismfor the oncoming containers comprises the provision of retractable guidemeans comprising parallel bars which are evenly spaced aparttransversely and are parallel to the direction of movement of thecontainers in feeding direction while moving to the discharge station ofthe machine, said guide bars being retractable preferably downwardly topermit free movement of the discharge pusher mechanism when moving thecharge of containers of predetermined size laterally into the open endof a carton supported adjacent said discharge station. Such guide barshowever, when functioning in a guiding capacity, maintain the containersin abutting engagement with each other and in straight rows closelyadjacent each other, the retractable guide bars also preferably being inlongitudinal alignment with stationary row-forming division plates whichare laterally adjustable and between which the containers move whileprogressing to the retractable guide bars.

Still another important objective of the invention is to provide at thedischarge station a pusher member which is movable transversely to thedirection of the initial movement of the containers through the cartonpacking machine, said pusher member actuating means including a movementmultiplying feature which operates to increase the transverse movementof the pusher member substantially beyond the actual movement of thedriving member of the actuating means, whereby a minimum width at thedelivery end of the machine is possible, even under circumstances wherethe machine is delivering sequentially from opposite sides thereof so asto increase the casing production plate of the machine.

One other object of the invention is to provide a series of switcheswhich primarily control solenoids that actuate retractable latches andthe like, whereby mechanical power means then automatically performtheir various related and sequential operations of the various units andcomponents of the machine, said switches being connected by anelectrical circuit in which the switches principally are arranged inseries, whereby the closing of all of the switches in said series isnecessary before the discharging means of the machine can function,thereby insuring safety of operation and, more particularly, insuring afull charge of containers when pushed into the open end of a supportedcarton.

Ancillary to the relatively simple operating mechanism, a further objectof the invention is to provide novel reset mechanism for the variouselements, units, and sub-units of the entire machine, following thecompletion of each discharge operation of the machine incident toloading a carton.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as otherobjects thereof, are set forth in the following specification andillustrated in the drawings comprising a part thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partially foreshortened near one end, showingdetails of a carton packing machine embodying the principles of thepresent invention and arranged to discharge containers from one sideonly of the machine. In this view, only a fragmentary portion of thereceiving conveyor for loaded cartons is illustrated and, in

full lines, the mechanism for lowering a loaded carton onto the conveyoris shown in lowered position, while in broken lines, the mechanism andan exemplary carton supported thereby is shown in elevated position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 1, severalintermediate portions of the machine being broken away to foreshortenthe view as in regard to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical end view of the carton packing machineas seen from the discharge end thereof, a portion of the lowersupporting mechanism of the machine being broken away.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of thecarton discharging mechanism and control means therefor, as seen on theline 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical elevation of the discharge mechanism ofthe machine as seen on the line 55 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical side elevation of the delivery end ofthe machine as seen from the opposite side from that shown in FIG. 2 andillustrating on a larger scale than in FIG. 2 certain details of thevarious units of the machine adjacent the discharge end thereof, thefeeding end of the machine in this view not being shown.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical elevation showing details of thecontainer spacing and guide means as seen on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 buton a slightly larger scale than employed in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical elevation of the actuating and controlmechanism for the carton supporting and lowering means of the machine,as viewed principally on the line 8-8 of FIG. 1 and on a substantiallylarger scale than employed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, principally taken on the line 99of FIG. 5, and showing the control and latching mechanism for theactuating crank which effects movement of the discharge mechanism of themachine.

FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively are fragmentary front and side elevationsof the carton supporting and lowering 1- mechanism of the machine, theseviews, in full line, showing the retracted position of the supportingmeans, while in broken lines, the extended position of the supportingmeans is illustrated.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary and exemplary end view of the machine as seensubstantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 6 but showing the machinearranged for delivering sequentially from opposite sides thereof, at theleft-hand side, showing the carton supporting and lowering means in itslowered position with a filled carton thereon illustrated in brokenlines, while at the right-hand side of the machine, the supportingmechanism is elevated and shows, in full lines, a carton supported inloading position and into which a charge has just been moved.

Referring to the various figures in sequence, a description of thedetails, units and sub-units, and various sections of the entire machinewill now be set forth under appropriate headings to facilitate the readyunderstanding of such details and operation thereof.

Feed and storage section The left-hand end of the machine as viewed inFIGS. 1 and 2 will be considered the feed and storage section 10 of themachine. Containers, such as exemplary filled cans 12, are fed ordelivered by appropriate means to the left-hand end of feed section 10,by conveyor or otherwise, not illustrated. It is to be understood thatthe machine is intended to accommodate a wide range of types and kindsof containers, including cans, bottles, boxes, packages, or any otherkind of the type which will stand in a given position upon a supportingsurface for movement therealong. Section 1!) comprises a frame 14supported by suitable legs 16 and laterally adjustable side plates 18which depend from horizontal supporting bars 20 which are fixed byvertical extensions relative to the frame 14. The plates is havesuitable apertured cars 22 through which the bars 20 extend and anyappropriate locking means such as set screws may be employed to maintainthe plates 20 in adjusted position.

Extending between the opposite sides of frame 14 and disposedsubstantially within a horizontal plane and parallel with each other area plurality of closely arranged supporting rolls 24 which rotate aboutsuitable rods extending between the side plates of frame 14 and bearingsoffering a minimum of friction are positioned adjacent opposite ends ofthe rolls 24. These rolls are referred to as live rolls in that they aredriven unidirectionally by suitable means such as a flexible belt 26,the upper course of which directly engages the undersurface of each ofthe rolls 24, said upper course of said belt preferably being urged intopositive and frictional engagement with the lower surfaces of said rollsby any appropriate conventional means.

The belt 26 is endless and extends about suitable supporting rollers 28as well as a' driving roller 30 and a suitable tensioning roller 32? Thedriving roller 30 is actuated by a drive shaft 3a which is mountedbeneath the frame of the machine in suitable bearings, said shaft beingdriven by the single electric motor 36 of the machine which employsappropriate reduction gearing to drive flexible belt or sprocket chain38 which drivingly engages the outermost end of shaft 34 as clearlyshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As a result of the driving of belt 26 in thedirection of the arrow shown at the left-hand end of FIG. 2, it will beseen that the upper surfaces of the rollers will move in a direction toconvey containers, resting vertically upon the upper surfaces thereof,inwardly from the feed end of the machine in the direction of the arrowshown upon plate 13 in FIG. 2.

Arranging and positioning section The arranging and positioning sectionof the machine is generally designated by the numeral 40. The need ofthis section is evident from a view of the left-hand end of FIG. 1wherein it will be seen that as the containers 12 are disposedvertically upon the rollers 24, they are in irregular arrangement inplan view, helter-skelter, and it is desired that incident to feedingthe same into the open end of a carton, they be positioned in orderlyarrangement relative to each other, preferably in short parallel rows.Accordingly, from the feed and storage section 18 of the machine, thecontainers 24 are engaged at opposite sides of the overall path ofmovement thereof by a pair of substantially parallel, vertical, jostlingplates 42, one end of each of which is supported by a pair of laterallyprojecting arms 44 which are slotted to permit lateral adjusting of thearms relative to the pivot bolts 46, such adjustment of the pivotsenabling the jostling plates 42 to be spaced apart substantially thesame distance as the side plates 13 of the feed section 10.

The opposite ends of the plates 42 have slotted actuating arms 48extending therefrom, the slots of said arms receiving vertical drivingshafts 50 which are actuated by crank arms 52 extending from oscillatingshafts 54 which each have a driving crank arm 56 on the lower endsthereof, the ends thereof being interconnected by crosslinks 58. Thelatter is driven by another suitable crank arm 68, at a right angle tothe adjacent crank arm 56, the outer end of arm 60 being pivotallyconnected to a driving link62 shown in FIG. 2 which, in turn, is drivenat its other end by a crank 64 operated by one of a pair of bevel gears66, the other of which is connected to drive shaft 34 clearly shown inFIG. 2.

As the containers 12 are moved forwardly so as to be engaged by theconstantly oscillating jostling plates 42 which operate in parallelismto each other, the containers are jostled into longitudinal alignmentwith each other so as to be progressively disposed in straight linesbetween a plurality of division plates 68 which are supported bysuitable apertured cars 22 which extend along appropriately positionedsupporting bars 20 rigidly supported relative to frame 14. It will beunderstood that there are furnished with the machine an adequate numberof division plates 68 as to be mounted equal distances from and parallelto each other so as to provide a plurality of parallel, closely adjacentpaths only slightly wider than the diameters of the containers 12 whichare to pass therebetween. It is relatively easy to disconnect thesupporting bars 28 from their stationary support so as to add or removethe division plates 68 relative to the bars 28. When the proper numberof division plates is mounted upon the bars, they are adjusted suitablyin spaced relationship to each other and maintained therein byappropriate means such as set screws in the apertured cars 22, theoutermost plates comprising the sides of this section of the machine.

The so-called live roller section of the conveyor and supporting meanswhich extends along frame 14 continues uninterruptedly through the feedand storage section It and the arranging and positioning section 40,such roller section ending at horizontal stationary plate means 78.However, the division plates as are sufficiently long at the right-handends thereof as viewed in FIGS; 1 and 2 so as to be disposed above thestationary plate means 70. Accordingly, the straight row arrangement ofcontainers 12 continues longitudinally along the plate means 70 byreason of the division plates 68. Particularly from FIG. 1, it will beseen that the stationary plate means 78 comprise a plurality of spaced,similar and fiat plates 72 which are supported by transversely extendingmeans such as angle irons 74, shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, thecontainers which are fed positively by live or revolving rolls 24 pushthe containers slidably along the flat plates 72 when the same arereached during the movement of the containers along theirstraight'parallel paths.

Can stop mechanism and discharge area The present invention contemplatesthe removal of relatively short parallel rows of containers, comprisinga charge of predetermined size, from the delivery portion c of themachine into an open end of a carton by pushing the same in a directiontransverse to the pathsof movement along which the containers havebeen'traveling to the discharge station. In order that such transversemovementmight take place, it is necessary momentarily to stop theforward movementof the containers along said parallel paths whileacharge of desired size of said containers is moved transversely intosaid carton. To effect such stopping of the forward movement of thecontainers, the present invention provides abar '76, the opposite endsof which extend through elongated slots 78 formed in opposite sides ofthe frame 14. 1

Details of the can stop mechanism are best shown in FIG. 6. Projectingfrom collars adjustably spaced along the bar or shaft 76 are a pluralityof hook-like stops which, with reference to FIG. 1, are arranged toproject upwardly through the spaces between the flat plates 72, wherebythe stops 8%, preferably, under no circumstances will be disposeddirectly between the rims of the two adjacent containers in any rowthereof. Rather the stops 80 will be disposed at an offset position fromthe line of centers of the containers and thereby not interfere with theabutting engagement of adjacent containers in any one row thereof.

As best can be appreciated from FIG. 1, when the containers. 12 reachthe exit end of the stationary plate means 70, it is preferred that theleading containers in each row be disposed, transversely, substantiallyin an even row preferably adjacent the exit edge of the plate means 70.Thus, when a charge of containers of a predetermined number have beenmoved beyond the stationary plate means 70 and are ready to bedischarged transversely from the machine, there will be no interferencewhatever between the containers being discharged and those which aremomentarily held stationarily upon the plate means 70. To permit thisstopping of the leading containers in each row thereof adjacent the exitends of plate means 70, it obviously will be necessary to adjust theshaft 76 within its supporting slots 78 with respect to the diameters ofthe containers being handled at any particular time by the machine.Accordingly, any suitable bearings, for example, may be mountedadjustably Within the slots 78 so as to support the shaft 76 foroscillatory move ment of the stops 80 between the retracted positionthereof shown in FIG; 6. and the exemplary elevated positions thereofshown in FIG. 2.

Extending forwardly of the stationary plate means 70 relative to thedirection of movement of the containers 12 along the machine is thedischarge section 82. To support the containers 12 in this section, aplurality of antifriction rolls 84 are provided, these being best shownin FIGS. 1 and 6. These rolls rotate upon suitable bearings about shaftssupported'at their opposite ends between frame plates 86, whereby therolls 84 extend in the direction parallel to the paths of movement ofthe containers along the feed section 10 and arranging section 40 of themachine, whereby movement of the containers transversely to theirprevious direction of feed may take place easily and with a minimum ofpower requirement.

To insure that the containers 12 will move along continuing parallelpaths from the arranging section 40 when they reach the dischargesection 82, a plurality of parallel, evenly spaced guide bars 88 aresupported by a pair of transverse members 98 spaced apart along theupper members 92 of a rectangular elevating frame 94 comprising a lowermember 96 which is intermediate the ends of the frame 94 when consideredin a direction parallel to the members 90.

Carried by the lower surface of the lower member 96 is a pair of cams 98by which the frame 94 is raised and lowered correspondingly to move theguide bars 88 between the elevated position thereof shown in FIG. 7 andthe retracted position thereof which is below .the elevated position adistance substantially equal to the height of the cams 98. In suchlowered position, the upper edges of the guide bars 88 are below theupper surfaces of the supporting rolls 84. Accordingly, when the guidebars 88 thus are retracted, they offer no obstruction to movement of theassembled charge of regularly arranged shortrows of containers 12 into acarton by moving such charge over the anti-friction rolls 84 in adirection transverse to the longitudinal axisof the machine, by means tobe described hereinafter.

In order that the guide bars 88 may be adjustably positioned to provideadequate spaces therebetween to accommodate containers of a differentdiameter from that for which the machine may have been set for prioroperations, any suitable type of adjustable supporting means for thebars 88 may be employed which is capable of adaptation to allanticipated sizes of containers to be packaged. One exemplary type isillustrated in FIG. 7 wherein it will be seen that the support members90 are provided with a plurality of closely and evenly spaced slots 100as shown in FIG. 7, and axially aligned holes are formed along themembers 90 so as to intersect the slots 100 and permit the accommodationof an elongated locking pin 102, the lower portions of the guide bars 88being provided with holes suitably aligned to receive the pins 102 andthereby removably secure the guide bars 88 .in-adjusted positionrelative to the elevating frame 94.-

As best considered relative to FIG. 6, in which the guide bars 88 areelevated to guide the forwardmost portions of the rows of containersinto the discharge section 82, when discharge is to take place, theelevating frame 94 is lowered to retract the guide bars 88 and this isaccomplished by moving actuating bar 104 toward the left as viewed inFIG. 6. The means for operating the actuating bar 104 are describedhereinafter. Carried by said bar, are a pair of actuating rollers 106which engage the earns 98 when the bar 104 is in the position shown inFIG. 6. correspondingly, when the bar 184 is in the same position, abell crank 108, which is pivot ally supported upon a shaft 110 connectedto the frame 14, has one end bifurcated to receive an actuating pin 112carried by bar 104. The opposite end of bell crank 108 is connectedpivotally to an adjustable link 114 which extends between the bell crankand a crank lever 116 fixed to shaft'76 for purposes of actuating thecontainer stops 80 about the axis of said shaft.

The arrangement of the bar 104, its rollers 106, and actuating pin 112relative respectively to the cams 98 and bell crank 108 is such thatwhen the bar 104 is in the position shown in 106, the guide bars 88 areelevated but the container stops 80 are retracted. It will also be seenfrom FIG. 6 that if the bar 104 is moved to the left as viewed in saidfigure, a limited distance, the rollers 106 will be removed from beneaththe earns 98, thereby permitting the frame 94 and guide bars 88 to lowerso as not to interfere with the movement of containers along thesupporting rolls 84, and, simultaneously the bell crank 108 will bemoved so as to project the stops 30 into operating position in whichthey will intersect the movement of the rows of containers movingbetween the division plates 68. Accordingly, when the guide bars 88 areelevated, the stops 80 will be retracted and vice-versa.

Carton supporting mechanism 'Details of the carton supporting mechanism118 and the actuating and control mechanism therefor are best shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, l and 11. Connected to the frame 14 are a pair ofspaced brackets 120 which support therebetween an oscillatable shaft122. Intermediately of the ends of shaft 122 and fixedly connected atone end thereto, is one member 124 of a pair of longitudinally slidablyrelated members, the other of which is identified as 126, this one beingL-shaped in side elevation as best shown in FIG. 3.

In the lowered position of the carton supporting mechanism 118, as shownin FIG. 3, the angular extension or foot 128 of the member 126 islowermost. In the full line position in FIG. 3, and particularly withreference to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the member 126 has spacedparallel sides, each of which respectively support a foot 128 and saidfeet 128 are capable of being extended to the dotted line positions andthereby disposed within the spaces between adjacent rollers 130 of asuitable carton removing means such as a gravity conveyor 132. Suitablemovement controlling and cushioning means such as spring 134 extendbetween the members 124 and 126 to control the guided longitudinalmovement between said members and particularly to permit cushionedpositioning of a filled carton upon the rollers of the removing means132.

The carton supporting mechanism and control means therefor also includecarton locating means 136 which are best shown in FIG. 3. This meanscomprises a pair of suitable laterally projecting plates which are soshaped as to be readily disposable within the open end of a carton whichis to be filled with containers and the end flaps of which areprojecting forwardly from said ends. The 10- eating means 136 have outerextremities which are arranged to be closely received adjacent the innersurfaces of the sides, and top and bottom walls of a carton, whereasthere also are provided angular portions 138 which will insure thecarnming of the flaps to flared, open positions when the open end of acarton is disposed upon the means 136. The cartons are placed upon themeans 136 by an operator and are pushed thereonto until the operatingmember of a switch 140, which shall be designated as the carton switch,is engaged by the leading end of the carton and closed thereby.

Referring now to FIG. 8, it will be seen that one of the brackets 120supports a solenoid 142, the operation of which is controlled by theswitch 140. It will be understood that the carton packing machine isprovided with a suitable electric circuit connectable to a source ofcurrent for purposes of operating not only the solenoid 142 but also theelectric motor 36 and other solenoids which will be describedhereinafter. Such circuit however is simple in nature and is controlledby a main switch 143 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, further specificillustration of the circuit is not deemed to be necessary. When thesolenoid 142 is energized, it will pivotally move lever 144 so that thelatch 14-6 thereon will be lowered and disengage the adjacent end ofarcuate lug 148 of circular plate 150 which is angularly adjustablyconnected to a similar circular plate fixed to shaft 122.

Also fixed to shaft 122 at the outer end thereof is a segmental sprocket152. Around the periphery of the same, a sprocket chain 154 is draped,the lower end of which is connected to a weight156 fixed to the upperend of a shaft 153 which extends into dash pot160, the latter beingadjustable so as to control the speed of lowering of the cartonsupporting members 124, 126 between the lowered, discharge positionthereof shown in FIG. 3 and, correspondingly, the diagrammatic verticalposition in FIG. 8, to the extended, horizontal supporting positionshown in phantom in FIG. 8, this latter position being 90, clockwise,above the position shown in FIG. 3. Upon the carton supporting members124, 126 reaching the horizontal supporting position, the arcuate lug148 will be moved to the dotted line position thereof shown in FIG. 8,whereupon the latch 146 will be in a position to drop in behind thetrailing end of lug 148 as a result of solenoid 142 being de-energizedby means now to be described.

When the carton supporting members 124, 126 reach the horizontalsupporting position as a result of movement by the weight 156, anactuating lug 162, shown in FIG. 2, engages the operating member ofswitch 164, which will be designated as the arm switch, the same being atwo-pole, double-throw switch which is connected in the circuit thatcontrols solenoid 142 and, when switch 164 is so engaged by lug 162, thesolenoid 142 is deenergized, thereby permitting the latch 146 to drop inbehind the trailing end of arcuate lug 148 so as to securely latch thesupporting members 124, 126 in extended, horizontal position to hold acarton horizontally with the open end thereof in registry with thecarton locating means 136 and in which position the carton is ready toreceive the containers to be delivered thereto from the dischargesection 82.

To insure that there will be a full complement of containers 12 withinthe charge in the discharge section 82 when a carton is supportedhorizontally by the carton supporting mechanism 118, a plurality ofadditional switches 166, which will be referred to as the containerswitches, are adjustably supported by a'transverse bar 168, the oppositeends of which are afiixed to slidably adjustable horizontal legs 170which respectively engage opposite sides of the housing 172 thatencloses the container discharge actuating mechanism, to be describedhereinafter. The legs 170 are secured in any desired adjusted positionby suitable bolts 174, such as shown in FIG. 2. Adjustability of thesupporting bar 168 is necessary in order to adapt the switches 166 tofunction properly in accordance with a specific width of carton and,correspondingly, of a specific width of charge of containers 12comprising a specific number of rows thereof.

It will be seen from FIG. 1 particularly that there is an individualcontainer switch 166 for each longitudinal row of containers 12, wherebythe leading contmner in each row will engage the actuating member of theswitch 166 for each row and close the same. All of the switches 166 areconnected in series, whereby if a single switch is not closed as aresult of the leading container in any particular row not being insatisfactory position and thereby designating that a complete complementof cans in each row exists, the circuit will remain open. Further, theswitches 166 are connected in series with the carton switch 140 and armswitch 164, the circuit of said series also including a solenoid 176shown in FIG. 6 which institutes operation of the container dischargemechanism which, principally, is contained within housing 172. Theoperation of said mechanism now will be described.

Container discharge mechanism Container discharge mechanism 178principally comprises mechanism for actuating and also controlling theactuation of pusher plate 180 which is vertical and parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the machine. Initially, the pusher plate 130 ispositioned substantially in longitudinal alignment with the outermostdivision plate 68 at the side of the machine remote from the side whichthe carton to be loaded is positioned. The plate 180 is fixed to anarm182 which extends outwardly from a supporting and guide block 184mounted for slidable movement between a pair of fixed ways 186. Theopposite ends of these ways are fixed respectively to the end walls ofhousing 172. Fixed to the guide block 184 adjacent the inner surfacethereof is a rack 188 comprising part of a motion-multiplying means,details of which are described hereinafter.

From FIG. 6 particularly, it will be seen that the ways 186, which areexemplary, preferably are square in crosssection but are so positionedas to have angular edges of said members in opposition to each other,whereby the guide block 184, which is of substantial length, is groovedV in its upper and lower surfaces so as to be complementary to theopposed edges of the ways 186 and thereby insure accurate positioning ofthe pusher plate 180 during its movement to and fro in the dischargesection 32 for purposes of pushing a charge of containers along theantifriction rolls 84 which support said charge of containers in saiddischarge section.

A second pair of ways 190 are connected respectively at the oppositeends thereof to the end walls of housing 172, similarly to the ways 186.The ways 190 are vertically above each other and are spaced apart asubstantially greater distance than the Ways 186. Positioned at one sideof the ways 190, as viewed in FIG. 6, is a movable vertical frame 192which has reversely bent ends 194 at the upper and lower ends extendingaround the ways 190 for purposes of supporting pairs of parallel guiderollers 1% respectively adjacent the upper and lower portions of theframe so that one pair respectively engages each of the upper and lowerways 190 to insure transverse movement of the movable frame 192 whilethe longitudinal axis thereof is substantially vertical at all times. a

Intermediately of the upper and lower ends of movable frame 192, on theinner surface thereof, is a substantially U-shaped bracket 198 havingvertically aligned bearings in the opposite ends thereof for purposes ofrotatably supporting a shaft'2ti0. Fixed to the shaft between saidbearings is a spur gear 202 which meshes with rack 133. Another spurgear 204 of larger diameter than gear 202, and correspondingly having asubstantially greater number of teeth than gear'202 is fixed to thelower end of shaft 200. Larger gear 204 meshes with a stationaryhorizontal rack 206 which extends between and is fixed at its endsrespectively to the opposite end walls of housing 172, similarly to themanner in which the ways 190 and 186 are afiixed thereto.

Extending vertically within the surface of the movable frame 192opposite the bracket 198 is a groove 20$ defined by a pair of parallelribs 210. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, it will be seenthat there is mounted adjacent the electric motor 36, a gear reductionunit 202, the same being driven by motor 36 through the means of anexemplary belt 214. The gear reduction unit has a continuously drivenshaft 216 which is connected by belt or sprocket chain 38 to the driveshaft 34. The opposite end of shaft 216 is splined, whereby it slidablyas well as rotatably supports a first toothed clutch member 218, thesame normally being held in inoperative or retracted position by a yoke220 which is pivotally supported at its upper end by bracket 222.

Also freely journaled for rotation upon the inner end of horizontalshaft 216 is a driving crank arm 224 to which a second toothed clutchmember 226 is fixed, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6', this beingcomplementary to clutch member 218-. Mounted on the outer end of crankarm 224 is an antifriction roller 228 which is eceived within groove 20%of movable frame 192 and it will be seen that, upon therotation of crankarm 224, the roller 228 on the outer end thereof will move Within thevertical groove 208 of movable frame 192, thereby causing the frame 192to move first to the left, as viewed in FIG. 5,

and then again to the right as a full revolution of the crank arm 224takes place.

The mechanism and operation thereof by which the first and second clutchmember 218 and 226 are engaged to effect rotation of crank arm 224 willbe described in the following portion of the specification, but adescription of the motion-multiplying means will first be set forth. Itwill be seen that during the rotation of crank arm 224 and initialmovement of frame 192 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, the largest spurgear 204 will engage the stationary rack 206 and cause rotation of thesmaller spur gear 202 in the same rotary direction as gear 204.Engagement of smaller spur gear 202 with rack 18%; on the guide block184 which supports the pusher plate will cause relative movement, towardthe left, of the guide block 184 and pusher plate 180, relative to frame192 which, in the meantime, is moving toward the left also.

Since shaft 216 willrotate the arm 2-24 at a constant rotary speed, thetransverse speed of frame 192 toward the left will increase as the endof the crank arm 224 approaches the vertical, or lower, position, forexample. The slowest speed of the frame 192 will take place when thecrank is starting from or approaching its horizontal positionillustrated in FIG. 5, for example. Hence, not only ismotion-multiplying means aiforded by the present construction, but anacceleration of speed, likewise, takes 1 1 place, and the accelerationis immediately followed by deceleration to zero speed as the crank arm224 approaches its left-hand horizontal position, as viewed from FIG. 5.By this time, the pusher plate 180 will have reached its farthestposition toward the left, for purposes of charging the assembledcontainers in the discharge section 82 into the carton 230 which,meanwhile, has been maintained in horizontal position by thecarton-supporting mechanism '118 and, particularly, members 124, 126thereof.

Upon the completion of the pushing of a charge of containers into thecarton by the pusher plate 180, a companion pusher plate 232, which issimilar to but spaced from pusher plate 180 and which, likewise, issupported by arm 182, as best shown in FIG. 1, supports switch actuatingmember 234. At such completion of the discharg- 'ing movement of pusherplate 180, the actuating member 234 will be positioned to engage anothercontrol switch 236, which is connected in the circuit of solenoid 142,best shown in FIG. 8.

Under the circumstances just described, the latch 146 still engages thetrailing end of arcuate lug 148, so as to hold the carton-supportingmechanism in horizontal or uppermost position. Upon the switch 236 beingclosed, however, solenoid 142 again is energized and releases the latch146 from engagement with the trailing end of lug 148, as shown in thedotted line position in FIG. 8, whereby the action of gravity upon thesupporting mechanism 118 causes the carton-supporting means to bepivoted about the shaft 122 to the lower or vertical position of thesupporting means, which lowering movement is somewhat gradual, due tothe action of the weight 156 and the dashpot 160.

In its lowermost position, such as shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 3,in phantom, the weight of the carton 230 is such as to extend theslidable member 126 to its extended, phantom position shown in FIG. 3,whereby the 'feet128 are projected between the rollers 130 of theexemplary gravity conveyor 132.

During the lowering operation of the carton 230, as described above, thecontinuous rotation of the crank arm 224 through the upper path of itsmovement will have caused the return movement of the movable frame 192from the left-hand side of themachine, as viewed in FIG. 5, toward itsinitial position shown in full line in said figure. Accordingly,retreating movement of the plate 232 and switch-actuating member 234,likewise, will have taken place, thereby opening switch 236 and,accordingly, de-energizing solenoid 142. Hence, upon the full movementof the carton-supporting mechanism 118 to its lowermost or verticalposition, the latch 145' will drop in behind the adjacent end of arcuatelug 148 and latch the supporting mechanism 118 in its discharging orstarting position.

Clutch operation Engaging and separative movement of the first clutchmember 218 relative to the second clutch member 226 occurs incidentallyto the energizing of solenoid 176, as seen in FIG. 6. When said solenoidis energized, it elevates link 238 connected thereto and from which astop pin 240 projects laterally so as to engage the left-hand end ofactuating bar 104, as viewed in FIG. 6. Upon removal of the stop pin 240from engagement with the left-hand end of bar 104, tension spring 242,which is fixed stationarily at its left-hand end relative to frame 14 ofthe machine, and at its right-hand end is connected to a pin 244projecting from actuating bar 104, causes the bar 104 to shift to theleft instantaneously, and movement in said direction is arrested by asuitable cushion block shown in FIG. 6.

Such movement of actuating bar 104 toward the left, as described above,in addition to efiecting lowering of the elevating frame 94 and guidebars 88, as well as elevation of the container-stop 80, also causes lug248 to engage the lower end of bellcrank 250 to move it to the left,relative to FIG. 6, and thereby pull down plunger 252, which isconnected at its upper end to vertically slidable head or block 254.

Horizontally slidable within suitable ways inblock 254, but incapable ofmoving vertically relatively thereto, is a plate 256 from which a pairof spaced vertical pins 258 project. The pins 258 are of appreciablelength and receive therebetween a horizontal yoke bar 260 carried byyoke 220, which is best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9. It will beunderstood that the lower end of the yoke 220 has spaced arms,fragmentary portions of which are shown in sectional plan view in FIG. 9in the several operative positions thereof.

During such lowering movement of the vertically slidable block 254,which moves within a stationary frame member 262 connected to part offrame 14, there never is disengagement between the pins 258 and the yokebar 260. Further, depending from the hub portion of crank arm 224 is alateral projection 264. The projection 264 is of such length that itnormally extends downwardly below the upper surface of plate 256, and apair of vertically extending latches 266 carried by vertically movableblock 254 respectively are disposed adjacent opposite sides of the lowerend of projection 264 to hold the crank arm 224 normally againstrotation.

When the bellcrank 250 is actuated by bar 104 as to pull down plunger252 and thereby lower the block 254, the latches 266, likewise, will beretracted and such lowering movement of block 254 will also carry theplate 256 downward to a level below the extremity of projection 264 onthe hub of the crank arm 224, whereby the yoke bar 260 then can engagethe innermost vertical pin 258, due to the constant force appliedagainst the yoke 22%) by spring plunger 268, shown in FIG. 6. As aresult of such movement of the yoke, the movable clutch member 218 isbrought into engagement with the clutch member 226 on the crank arm 224and commences rotation of the same in the direction of the arrow shownin FIG. 5, thus instituting horizontal movement of frame 192 whichcarries the pusher plate toward the positioned carton in acceleratedmanner, whereby considerably greater movement of plate 180 than frame192 takes place, thus economizing on width in the machine.

It will be noted from FIG. 9 that the inner face of horizontallyslidable plate 256 has a sloping cam surface 270, and said inner endwill be disposed at the projected, dotted line position thereof shown inthe upper portion of FIG. 9 during the time the crank arm 224 is makingsubstantially its complete excursion of 360 under circumstances wherethe machine is delivering containers only from one side into the openend of a carton, as is illustrated, particularly, in FIGS. 1 through 3and 5. At the time the crank arm 224 is approaching the completion ofits excursion of 360, the projection 264 will engage the cam surface 270of plate 256 in its extended, dotted line position shown in FIG. 9,whereupon continued movement of the projection 264 will cammingly movethe plate 256 to its full line or retracted position, as shown in FIG.9, and in which position it corresponds to that illustrated in FIG. 6.Such retracting movement of plate 256 carries the inner pin intoengagement with yoke bar 260 and thereby moves the yoke against theaction of spring plunger 268 so as to disengage the clutch member 218from clutch member 226 on the crank arm.

When the carton-supporting mechanism 18 is moved to its lower position,the switch 164 will be disengaged by the actuating lug 162, as bestshown in FIGS. 10 and 11, whereupon the circuit to solenoid 176 of FIG.6 will be interrupted and said solenoid will be de-energized. However,the left-hand end of actuating bar 104 will still be against the cushionblock 246 and stop pin 240 will rest upon the upper surface of bar 104.Retracting of bar 104 from its extended position against cushion block246 to its full line position shown in FIG. 6 is accomplished in thefollowing manner.

wit

i3 Resetting of actuating mechanism 1 Referring especially to FIG. 5, itwill be seen that th lower end of movable frame 192 has fixed thereto ablock 270. Said block has a pair of projections 272 and 274 dependingtherefrom and, as will be seen from FIG. 6, said projections are offsetslightly from each other in a direction longitudinally of the machine.By referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen further that the lower portionof housing 172 has a bottom plate 276 which supports a pair of blocks278 and 286 which are adjustably fixed relative to plate 276. Extendingbetween the blocks 278 and 280, and slidable relative thereto, is a bar282 and from the lower surface thereof an actuating roller 284 dependsfor rotation about a vertical axis.

Connected to the upper surface of actuating bar 104, intermediately ofthe ends thereof, is a double surfaced cam 286. In the position shown inFIG. 6, the cam 286 is retracted. However, when the bar 104 is extendedto the left, so as to engage cushion block 246, the cam 286 will bepositioned in the lower dotted line position thereof shown in FIG. 4.

Connected to the upper surface of reciprocable bar 282 shown in FIG. 5is a pair of elongated bars or lugs 288 and 290. These are offsettransversely relative to each other, whereby the lug 288 islongitudinally aligned with the projection 274 on block270, while thelug 290 is longitudinally in alignment with the projection 272 on 7block 27 i). Said projections and lugs function as follows.

In FIG. 5, it will be seen that part of block 270 is broken away toexpose a vertically movable member 292 which normally is spring biaseddownwardly by means, not shown, and is guided by a pin 294. Rotatablysupported by the member 292 is a roller 296 which longitudinally isalignable with cam surfaces 298 and 306 respectively formed on the uppersurfaces of blocks 278 and 280. During the traversing excursions ofmovable frame 292 with which the block 270 moves, as said frame andblock move to the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, the lug 272 on block 270will be aligned with a slot in the upper surface of block 278 so that itcan travel therethrough.

After the frame 192 has only partially moved to the left sufiiciently toclear the cam 300, the roller 296 will ride down the cam surface 3% andthereby permit the lowering of member 292 sufficiently that, when theframe 192 has moved to the left the required distance, member 292 willengage the right-hand end of lug 288, as viewed in FIG. 5, and will movethe lug, together with bar 282 and roller 284, toward the left until theroller 296 engages the cam 298 and thereby elevates the member 292 fromengagement with the lug 288. Meanwhile, spring 293 will be compressedbetween end plate 300 of housing 172, and a shoulder provided at thejunction of rectangular bar 252 and cylindrical extension 302, saidshoulder being shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5.

When the member 292 disengages lug 288, the compress d spring 298 willshoot the bar 282 and roller 284 toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 5,but nothing will happen because the block 273 primarily is for use whenthe machine is arranged to deliver sequentially from the right side, asviewed in FIG. 5, as well as from the left side in FIG. 5 and for whichthe machine presently is adapted. Accordingly, the movements describedabove, relative to block 278, are idle motions but are useful forunderstanding the double acting'function of the machine hereinafterdescribed relative to FIG. 12.

With respect to the single side delivery arrangement which isillustrated in FIG. 5, assume further, in regard to the descriptionabove concerning the movement of movable frame 192, that the frame nowhas been moved to its fullest extent toward the left, as viewed in FIG.5, to discharge containers into a carton, and is now returning to itsstarting position shown in full lines in said figure. As the frame 192and block 270 approach the stationary block 280, the projected member292 will engage the forward end of lug 296 and cause the same to move tothe 14 right, thereby carrying with it bar 282 and roller 284. Suchmovement of said bar and roller continue sufiiciently that, by referringto FIG. 4 particularly, it will be seen that the roller 284 engages oneside of the double surfaced cam 286 and causes a movement of the samefrom the dotted line to the full line position thereof shown in :tensionand charges the same for the next succeeding operation of the bar 104 tothe left. Further, the righthand movement of bar 104, as seen from FIG.6, will move the bellcrank 250 counterclockwise and thereby permitspring 304 beneath block 254 to raise said block, such raising occurringjust before the crank arm 254 reaches its final position, and eventhough just prior to it reaching its final position the plate 256 andcam surface 270 thereon are disposed in the innermost position shown indotted lines in FIG. 9, the final movement of crank arm 224 to its restposition causes a camming of the plate 256 and, correspondingly, thepins 258 thereon to the projected position shown in full lines in FIG.9, which corresponds to the position also shown in FIG. 6. This movementdisengages the clutch member 218 from clutch member 226, as describedhereinabove. The final position of crank arm 224 also is determined byengagement of the projection 264-tl1ereon with the left-hand latch 266,as viewed in FIG. 5. I

Incident to the final positioning of crank arm 224, the latches 266which are spring-pressed vertically by springs 306 and which are bestshown in FIG. 9 and also in FIGS. 5 and 6 on smaller scales, functionthusly. Immediately prior to the projection 26 of the crank arm 224engaging the cam surface 276 of plate 256, said projection willcammingly engage the upper surface of the right-hand latch 266, asviewed in FIG. 5, depressing the same against the action of spring 396and, immediately thereafter, the

projection 264 will engage the cam" surface 270 of plate 256 so as tocam the same outwardly to it's de-clutching 270 thereon toward theright, as viewed in FIG. 5, ulti-' mately causes engagement of roller296 with cam surface 396 in block 28%), so as to disengage thevertically movable member 292 from the lug 29% and thereby release thebar 282 and roller 284 thereon for return movement to the left, by theaction of compressed spring 368 which surrounds cylindrical extension310 projecting to the right from the shouldered right-hand end of bar282, the righthand movement of bar 282 and roller 284, nevertheless,will be adequate to effect a resetting of actuating bar 164, due to theengagement of roller 284 with one face of the double faced cam 286connected to bar 104. V

For purposes of insuring proper positioning of the bar 282 and roller284, relative'to the housing 172 after the lug 295) has been disengagedfrom member 292, the left-hand end of lug 296, while being moved bycompressed spring 368, will engage projection 272 on block 276, whichnow is stationarily positioned at the end of its right-hand movement toits rest position, as viewed in FIG. 5 to prevent appreciableover-travel.

Incident to the actuating bar 104 being restored to its right-handposition, as viewed in FIG. 6, the rollers 166 thereon will engage cams98 and elevate the rectangular elevating frame 94- which carries the cogbars 88 into projected position so as to again constitute guide meansfor oncoming rows of containers temporarily being held motionless by thestops 86 which were projected when the bar 163 was in its left-handposition. However, upon restoring the bar 104 to its right-handposition, as shown in FIG. 6, the stops 39 are retracted, whereupon thecontainers which have temporarily been held motionless upon theconveying rolls 24, now are moved forward until the forward portions ofsaid rows are disposed within the discharge section 82 and the leadingcontainer in each row contacts its container switch 166, so as to closethe same. Hence, following the positioning of another carton by theoperator against the locating means 134 and the closing of carton switch140, the carton-supporting mechanism 118 is actuated by the weight 155to elevate the same and thereby close arm switch 164m complete thecircuit to the solenoid 176 and thereby initiate the movement of thepusher plate 186 through another cycle of the type describedhereinabove, followed subsequently by a resetting of the mechanism,further in accord with the description set forth hereinabove.

Sequential alternate side discharge As has been stated in the foregoing,the machine also readily can be adapted to discharge alternatively fromone side and then the other,- in sequence, thereby increasing theproduction rate of the machine by as much as 40% for a given period oftime. Under such circumstances, it wiil be understood that two operatorswill be required to operate the machine, respectively from the oppositesides thereof, for purposes of initially placing the cartons 230, withthe open ends thereof in registry with the carton-locating means 136respectively positioned at opposite sides of the machine, as shown inFIG. 12.

When the machine is adapted for the loading of cartons from both sidesthereof, it will be understood that cartonremoving means 132 and 132respectively will be disposed adjacent opposite sides of the machine.Essentially, FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 3, except that the electricmotor and gear-reduction mechanism has been removed, for purposes ofclarity. In addition to the showing in FIG. 3, however, FIG. 12 alsoillustrates carton-supporting mechanism 118' which is identical to thecarton-supporting mechanism 118 at the left-hand side, the operation ofwhich is fully described, relative to the structure illustrated in thepreceding figures and, particularly, FIG. 3. Accordingly, rather thanrepeat the description of the operation of the mechanism 118 relative tothe'additional' carton-supporting mechanism 118', attention is directedto the hereinabove set forth description of mechanism 113.

The principal difference between the operation of the double sidedischarge type of machine shown in FIG. 12 over the single sidedischarge type illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, in addition to havinga duplicate cartonsupporting mechanism 118 on the opposite side fromthat with which mechanism 118 is associated, is in regard to theoperation of the driving crank arm 224. Part of the operation of thecrank arm, when adapted to discharge from both sides of the machine, hasbeen described above, particularly in regard to the block 278, lug 288and cam 298. To render these items effective in regard to the operationof the discharge mechanism, relative to the right-hand carton-supportingmechanism 118', however, it is necessary to add two additional elementsto the actuating means for the movable frame 192. One of these is asecond roller 312, shown in FIG. 12, and correcharge is eifectedsequentially from opposite sides of the machine, the crank arm 224 issequentially rotated only 180 to eflFect a movement of the pusher plate180, for example, toward the supporting mechanism 118, or to effect amovement of the pusher plate 232 from a position adjacent'supportingmechanism 118 to a position adjacent supporting mechanism 118'. Undersuch circumstances, the arrangement shown in FIG. 12 illustrates theposition occupied by the driving crank arm 224 at the completion of itsmovement to efiect discharge of a charge of containers into thecontainer 239 supported by supporting mechanism 118. There will, ofcourse, be an additional control switch similar to switch 236 adjacentthe opposite side of the machine and engageable by a switch-actuatingmember corresponding to member 234 on companion pusher plate 232, butcarried by pusher plate in such a position as not to engage switch 236when the pusher platel fl is moving toward the supporting mechanism 118.

When such additional control switch is closed, the supporting mechanism118' moves from the raised, horizontal position to the lowered, verticalposition. Meanwhile, the operator serving the supporting mechanism 118pushes an empty carton upon the locating means 36 and starts thesequence of operation by which the supporting member 118 is elevated tohorizontal position, and the clutch for driving crank arm 224' isengaged to permit the crank arm to rotate 180 from the position shown inFIG. 12 to a diametrically opposite position, at

which time the second lateral projection 314 on the hub of crank arm 224is engaged by the stop mechanism carried by frame member 262, therebyarresting the movement of crank arm 224 at the end of the dischargestroke of frame 192 and pusher plate 180 toward supporting mechanism118.

Incident to the movement of the frame 192 and pusher plate 180 to theleft, as viewed in FIG. 12, to charge the carton then held horizontallyby supporting mechanism 118, the additional roller 312 on bar 282 willhave been moved by themember 292within block 270, on the lower part offrame 192, so as to engage the adjacent cam face of double surfaced cam286 and thereby move the actuating bar 104 toward the right so as toassume the full line position shown in FIG. 6 and thus restore theentire machine to a condition to receive a new charge of containers.within the discharge section 82.

From the foregoing, it thus will be seen that the machine is adaptedreadily not only to load cartons respectively from either side thereof,but also to sequentially load cartons alternativelyfrom one side andthen the other, thus increasing the loading capacity of the machine byas much as 40% over the rate at which cartons can be loaded whendischarging containers from one side only from the machine. It will beunderstood, of course, that when sequential loading occurs alternativelyfrom opposite sides, an additional carton-supporting mechanism will berequired, together with an additional carton-removing means, such assupporting mechanism 118 and removing means 132'. The addition of roller312 to the bar 282 and lateral projection 314 to the hub of the drivingcrank arm 224, however, are all the additions needed to the dischargemechanism over that which is required to load cases from one side onlyof the machine.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. A carton packing machine comprising in combination, containerconveyor means operable to move containers along a predeterminedelongated substantially horizontal path from a loading zone to adischarge station comprising horizontal supporting means at the deliveryend of said conveyor means, opposite sides of said discharge stationbeing open for free passage of an assembly of containers of selectedsize transversely to said path thereof; carton supporting means adjacent1? at least one of said sides of said discharge station to receive acharge of containers therefrom; pusher means movable across saiddischarge station between said opposite sides thereof and transverselyto said path for said containers; and actuating means for said pushermeans mounted longitudinally beyond the end of said discharge stationopposite said delivery end of said conveyor means to render the oppositesides of said discharge station free of obstruction to the passage ofcontainers,

said actuating means including power means, guide means supporting saidpusher means reciprocally across said discharge station, drive means forsaid pusher means, clutch means operable to connect said power means anddrive means when discharge of a charge of cans is to be made into acarton, and clutch actuating means controlled by the supporting of anempty carton upon said carton supporting means in position to receive acharge of containers from said discharge station.

2. The carton packing machine of claim 1 in which said drive meansincludes crank means and motion-multiplying means operable upon saidpusher to effect greater transverse travel thereof across said transferstation than the travel of said crank in a corresponding transversedirection to minimize the width of said drive means upon said machine.

3. A carton packing machine comprising a frame having a containersupporting and feed section extending from one end toward a dischargestation having container supporting means adjacent the other endthereof, elongated parallel guide bars extending along said section andoperable to guide containers fed thereto'in vertical position intoparallel straight rows for movement along closely adjacent parallelpaths at said discharge station, frame means mounted below saiddischarge station for limited vertical movement and supporting saidguide bars for corresponding vertical movement between positions whereinthe upper edges of said base are above said supporting means andinoperative positions at least flush with said supporting means,ejecting mechanism supported adjacent said discharge station and movabletransversely to said paths of said containers to push a charge ofcontainers of predetermined number from said discharge station into acarton, and means operable to move said frame and guide bars thereonfrom the elevated position to inoperative positions to permit readydischarge movement of a charge of containers from said discharge stationby said ejecting mechanism during the discharge movement thereof, saidbars being adjustable on said frame means in a direction transverse tothe length of said bars, thereby to adjust the width of the guidechannels formed thereby to accommodate containers of any desireddiameter.

4. A carton packing machine comprising a container supporting and feedsection having container supporting surfaces extending from one endtoward a discharge station adjacent the other end thereof, elongatedparallel guide means extending along said section and discharge stationportion thereof and operable to guide containers fed thereto in verticalposition into parallel straight rows for movement along closely adjacentparallel paths at said discharge mechanism, ejecting mechanism operablysupported adjacent said discharge station and movable transversely tosaid paths of said containers to push a charge of containers ofpredetermined number from said discharge station into a carton,actuating means operable to move said guide means from a piston above toa position below the supporting surface of said discharge stationportion of said path of movement of said ejecting mechanism prior to thedischarge movement of said ejecting mechanism, stop means movable intoand out of the paths of movement of said containers and positioned toengage containers when projected into said paths thereof prior to thesame reaching said discharge station, means adjustably supporting saidstop means longitudinally of said path of movement of said containers toadapt the same for engagement with cans of different diameters,additional actuating means operable to project said stop meanssubstantially vertically from a retracted depressed position into saidpath prior to operation-of said ejecting mechanism, thereby to preventfeeding movement of containers to said discharge station while a chargethereof is being ejected therefrom, and means movable to operate saidplurality of actuating means commonly to operate said guide means andstop means in reverse vertical directions substantially simultaneously.

5. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 4 further characterizedby said common operating means comprising an elongated member supportedfor movement longitudinally beneath said supporting nd feed section, andsaid machine additionally including means interengageable with saidguide means and stop means and operable by said elongated member toconvert the horizontal movement of said member to vertical movement ofsaid guide and stop means.

6. A carton packing machine comprising a frame having a supporting andfeed section operable to move containers along a path extendinglongitudinally from a feed end to a discharge station for transfer of acharge of a predetermined number of containers therefrom into a carton,in combination with pusher means comprising frame means mounted oppositesaid discharge station-from said supporting and feed section and havinga vertical groove and movable alongstraight and substantially horizontalguide means 'to provide substantially straight horizontal movement ofsaid pusher means adjacent said discharge station and extending in adirectiontr'ansverse to the path of movement of containers along saidsupporting and feed section, a pusher member movably supported by saidframe means for relative movement parallel to said guide means,actuating means for said frame mountedsubstantially in axial alignmentwith said path and comprising a rotatable crank arm the outer end ofwhich moves within said vertical groove of said frame means, and motionmultiplying means engageable with said pusher member and operable tomove the same a greater distance transversely in container dischargingdirection than said frame means, thereby affording maximum movement ofsaid pusher member for minimum movement of said frame means and therebyminimizing the width of said machine at said discharge station.

7. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 6 further characterizedby said crank arms being rotatable about an axis parallel to the path ofmovement of said containers, power means operable to rotate said crankarm at a substantially constant speed, and clutch means operable toconnect and disconnect said power means directly to said crank arm, saidcrank arm being horizontally at the commencement of an operating stroke,whereby the movement of said frame and pusher member initially isaccelerated and the final movement declerated in container dischargingdirection.

8. A carton packing machine comprising a frame having a containersupporting. and feed section operable to move vertically arrangedcontainers longitudinally therealong from a feed end toward a dischargestation for transfer of a predetermined number of containers therefrominto a carton having an open wall adjacent one side of said dischargestation; in combination withpusher means comprising a frame, parallelguideways mounted stationarily relative to said discharge station andsup porting said frame for guided movement adjacent said dischargestation transversely to the direction of movement of containers aiongsaid supporting and feed section, additional guideways parallel to saidfirst-mentioned guideways and slidably supporting a head, a pushermember carried by and extending from said head transversely to saidguideways across said discharge station and positioned to engage acharge of a predetermined number of con-tamers and move the same fromone side of said machine into a carton, means to actuate said framealong the guideways therefor; and motion multiplying means comprising arack parallel to said guideways and stationary relative to said machine,another rack parallel thereto and fixed to said head for movementtherewith, and gears fixed to a rotatable shaft carried by said frameand respectively engageable with said racks to move said head and pushermember relative to said frame and in the same direction, whereby the.pusher member moves a greater distance transversely than said frame,thus minimizing the width of said machine at said discharge station.

9. A carton packing machine comprising a frame having a supporting andfeed section operable to move containers longitudinally therealong froma feed end toward a discharge station for transfer of a predeterminednumber of containers sequentially from opposite sides of said machineinto cartons positioned adjacent opposite sides of said dischargestation, pusher means movable sequentially in opposite directions atsaiddischarge station transversely to the direction of movement ofcontainers along said supporting and feed section to discharge apredetermined number of containers sequentially from opposite sides of.said discharge station into the open faces of cartons positioned toreceive the same, drive means operable to move said pusher meanssequentially as aforesaid, power means, a clutch between said powermeans and drive means, control means for said clutch operable byplacement of a carton in position selectively adjacent one side or theother of said discharge station to activate said clutch and therebyconnect said power means and drive means to cause discharging movementof said pusher means in one direction to effect discharge of a charge ofcontainers in said carton, and means operable to restore said clutch anddrive means to starting position at the completion of a dischargingmovement of said pusher means in each direction.

10. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 9 furthercharacterized by said control means comprising a member movable in onedirection when a carton is placed in receiving position adjacent eitherside of said discharge station to effect activation of said clutch todrive said pusher means through a discharge movement in one transversedirection, said control member being moved in the opposite direction todisengage said clutch at the completion of such movement of said pushermeans in each transverse direction at the discharge station.

11. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 10 further includingspring means connected to said control member and operable to move thesame in one direction, and cam means connected to said control memberand engageable by part of said pusher means near the end of a feedingstroke to move said control member in the opposite direction for thepurpose aforesaid.

12. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 11 furthercharacterized by said pusher means comprising a frame reciprocallymounted for movement in opposite feeding directions and said drive meanscomprising a crank arm rotatable about an axis parallel to the path ofmovement of containers along said feed section, one-half a revolutionbeing sufiicient to move said frame a full excursion in one dischargingdirection relative to said discharge station.

13. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 12 further includingactuating means carried by said reciprocal frame and movable therewith,cam engaging means mounted for movement parallel to said frame andengage'able by said actuating means on said frame during a portion ofeach transverse excursion of said reciprocal frame to move it from astarting position into engagement with said cam and thereby move it andthe control member upon which it is mounted in said opposite direction,and means operable relative to said cam engaging means to restore it toits starting position at the completion of such movement of said cam andcontrol member.

14. A carton packing machine comprising container feeding means toreceive and move containers to a discharge station, and ejecting meansoperable to discharge a predetermined number of containers comprising acharge from said feeding means into a carton, in combination with cartonsupporting means positioned adja cent said discharge station and movablebetween an elevated loading position and a lowered unloading position,said supporting means when in the loading position being arranged tohold a carton with an open wall thereof positioned to receive saidpredetermined number of containers as a charge, and means operable whensaid carton has received said containers to effect lowering movement ofsaid supporting means and carton to said unloading position for removalof said carton from said supporting means to take-away means, saidsupporting means including longitudinally extendable means automaticallyoperable to adapt the same to lowering cartons in a substantiallyvertical direction onto a range of heights of take-away means withoutappreciable shock.

15. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 14 furthercharacterized by said carton supporting means being pivotally connectedat one end to said machine adjacent said discharge station and movablebetween a substantially horizontal position to support a carton whilebeing charged with containers and a lowered unloading position, andincluding holding means on the lower end of said positioning means whenin said lowered position which is engageable with the lower end of acarton to prevent downward movement thereof relative to said supportingmeans, said holding means automatically being positionable at the levelof take-away means to receive a carton from said lowered supportingmeans, and said carton supporting means also including cushioning meansoperable to permit limited automatic extensible movement of said holdingmeans relative to said pivotal connection.

16. The carton packing machine set forth in claim 15 furthercharacterized by the holding means and portion of the supporting meansto which it is connected being longitudinally movable relative to thepivoted portion of said supporting means, thereby to permit the lowerend.

of said supporting means and holding means thereon to move downwardlyvarious distances sufficiently to reach a take-away means to discharge acarton thereonto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A CARTON PACKING MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, CONTAINERCONVEYOR MEANS OPERABLE TO MOVE CONTAINERS ALONG A PREDETERMINEDELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PATH FROM A LOADING ZONE TO ADISCHARGE STATION COMPRISING HORIZONTAL SUPPORTING MEANS AT THE DELIVERYEND OF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS, OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID DISCHARGE STATIONBEING OPEN FOR FREE PASSAGE OF AN ASSEMBLY OF CONTAINERS OF SELECTEDSIZE TRANSVERSELY TO SAID PATH THEREOF; CARTON SUPPORTING MEANS ADJACENTAT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDES OF SAID DISCHARGE STATION TO RECEIVE A CHARGEOF CONTAINERS THEREFROM; PUSHER MEANS MOVABLE ACROSS SAID DISCHARGESTATION BETWEEN SAID OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF AND TRANSVERSELY TO SAIDPATH FOR SAID CONTAINERS; AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID PUSHER MEANSMOUNTED LONGITUDINALLY BEYOND THE END OF SAID DISCHARGE STATION OPPOSITESAID DELIVERY END OF SAID PUSHER VEYOR MEANS TO RENDER THE OPPOSITESIDES OF SAID DISCHARGE STATION FREE OF OBSTRUCTION TO THE PASSAGE OFCONTAINERS, SAID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING POWER MEANS, GUIDE MEANSSUPPORTING SAID PUSHER MEANS RECIPROCALLY ACROSS SAID DISCHARGE STATION,DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID PUSHER MEANS, CLUTCH MEANS OPERABLE TO CONNECT SAIDPOWER MEANS AND DRIVE MEANS WHEN DISCHARGE OF A CHARGE OF CANS IS TO BEMADE INTO A CARTON, AND CLUTCH ACTUATING MEANS CONTROLLED BY THESUPPORTING OF AN EMPTY CARTON UPON SAID CARTON SUPPORTING MEANS INPOSITION TO RECEIVE A CHARGE OF CONTAINERS FROM SAID DISCHARGE STATION.